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Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers: 'Raheem Sterling is only 18, he has time to develop'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that Raheem Sterling's age of 18 needs to be taken into account.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has eased pressure on winger Raheem Sterling by insisting that he is still just a youngster.

The 18-year-old burst onto the scene for the Reds last season, but has had limited first-team opportunities at Anfield during the current campaign.

The England Under-21 international has come into the side of late following the injury suffered to Daniel Sturridge, and he joined Luis Suarez in finding the back of the net in Liverpool's 5-1 win over Norwich City on Wednesday.

"Raheem is still only a very young player," Rodgers told the club's official website. "I thought his finish on Wednesday night was excellent. It probably got lost in and amongst Luis' goals and his assist.

"But we've just encouraged the front players to take more of a risk and get into the box. It was a wonderful finish off his left side. We mustn't forget that he's a boy of 18 years of age, who is developing all the time."

Sterling signed a new long-term contract at Anfield earlier this year.

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Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammate Steven Gerrard after scoring his team's second goal against Norwich during their Premier League match on December 4, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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